Hi guys, this is my first post, I'm new to this board. My father and I just today picked up a great 1972 240zx, it's white with a burgandy interior. It's in good original condition, body is real good. Needs a lot of work though. Right now, we want to do the work that gets it roadworthy again. First issue is that it makes a bad clunk when the clutch is pushed in. We think that could be the u-joints, but we're not sure, what do you guys think? Also, the shifter is really loose, is there a problem, or should I just look for a way to tighten it up? Many thanks, I look forward to talking with you guys, and hopefully contributing myself!]

Edit: question. How can I tell the original paint color. We think it is white, can I decode the VIN?

In the three early Z cars i had the shifter was loose.

I just bought an new inexpensive inner shift boot and it

felt a whole lot better. I am sure dastunrestore has one available.

So do a whole lot of other companys.

Congradulations on your Z!!!

Z-ya.

Can't tell the original color by the VIN number, if you don't have the Paint Code sticker on the radiator support with the code number, you'll have to look under the dash, or under the carpeting to find out if the color has been changed. Anyplace that most people overlook painting when changing the color... most people don't do a complete chassis re-paint.

Clunk could be u-joints, bad diff mounts, or bushings... you'll have to look everything over and eliminate the possibilities one by one.

Shifter is loose probably due to bad bushings, you'll have to remover the center console, the shift boots, and the pin with the "C" clip on the shifter fulcrum to remove the shifter. There is a bushing on the ball end of the shifter where it goes into the shift rail and a two piece bushing where you removed the pin.

Motorsport Auto has them as well as other suppliers, probably best to check with Midwest Z first so you can get a discount for being a member here....

Color info is not in the VIN#

Here's the test-

Is the engine compartment white?

Is the interior vinyl red?

Is the interior (under the carpets, in the spare tire well) white?

yes's mean your car was 904 white when it roll of the line in Yokohama. You may find the remmants of the paint code sticker on the passenger side of the radiator support.

Replacing the shifter bushings will be a great "getting to know you" job for you and dad. Use the search box on this site with "Shifter bushings" and you'll get more info than i could type in a week.

Chasing clunks will be your goal. U joints, trans mount, diff mount are all canidates.

Join a local club, get to know your nearest Z fanatic. We're not like porsche collectors, We help each other out.

Originally posted by Korwen

Hi guys, this is my first post, I'm new to this board. My father and I just today picked up a great 1972 240zx, it's white with a burgandy interior. It's in good original condition, ...............

Welcome to the club! You've just bought one of the most fun cars to drive on the planet. It can even be fun to work on, if you are in the right frame of mind. Spend some time looking through our Forums and Technical Articles and you can learn a lot. You might also enjoy a look at ZHome.com

Good Luck with your Z!!!!

Carl

welcome to the forum! Good luck with your car, and don't get any bright ideas of cramming a SBC into that engine compartment.

Thanks for all the info guys! We figured out the clunk today, it was a mount for the differential, a $40 part from courtesy nissan(god I love living 5min from them) and we put it on, no more clunk. Yeah, it probably is a 904 color code like was said. I'll try to get some pictures of it Thanks again, I look forward to contributing. And no, we are not going to put a SBC or SBF in it, although a RB25det is tempting....

edit: Also, on the wheels, the inner part is black. Is that just an option, or are these stock wheels, or does that give us any clue as to the options on the car? Thanks